Michael Schumacher fighting for his life

Doctors treating Michael Schumacher refused on Monday to predict the outcome for the former Formula One driver, saying they were taking his very critical head injury ??hour by hour?? following a skiing accident.

30 December 2013

Michael Schumacher of Germany walks in parc ferme after the qualifying session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur in this March 24, 2012 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Michael Schumacher of Germany and Mercedes GP in action during day three of winter testing at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit on February 3, 2011 in Valencia, Spain. Photo: Getty

Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher of Germany waits in his car during the first practice session for the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam, South Korea, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. Photo: AP

Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany takes off his balaclava after the first practice session of the Monaco F1 Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, in this file picture taken May 13, 2010. Schumacher. Photo: Reuters

Ferrari Formula One world champion driver Michael Schumacher of Germany waves to supporters at the end of the second free practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza race track in northern Italy in this September 10, 2004 file photo. Photo: Reuters

In this photo dated on November 25, 2012 German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher gestures at the end of the Brazil's F1 Grand Prix at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: AFP

Former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher skis downhill in the northern Italian resort of Madonna Di Campiglio in this January 14, 2005 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Then Ferrari's Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany prepares for a ski run in the Dolomite resort of Madonna Di Campiglio in this January 12, 2006 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany is lifted up by Australian volleyballer Kerri Pottharst while playing beach volleyball at St. Kilda Beach prior to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix on March 3, 2005 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Getty

Photo taken on January 12, 2006 shows German Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher as he poses during the "16 WROOOM F1 press meeting ". Photo: AFP

Michael Schumacher of Germany and Mercedes GP reacts in parc ferme after finishing his last F1 race following the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 25, 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: Getty

Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and his wife Corinna pose during the 31. Sportpresseball at Alte Oper on November 10, 2012 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Photo: Getty

Michael Schumacher of Germany and Mercedes GP reacts in parc ferme after finishing his last F1 race following the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 25, 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: Getty

In this handout image provided by GP2 Media Michael Schumacher of Germany poses sitting on a GP2 car during testings at the Jerez circuit on January 11, 2010 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Photo: Getty

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher (R) from Germany punches the air as his team celebrate on the pit-wall shortly before he crossed the finish line to win the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Melbourne's Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit March 12. Photo: Reuters

Doctors treating Michael Schumacher refused on Monday to predict the outcome for the former Formula One driver, saying they were taking his very critical head injury "hour by hour" following a skiing accident.

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Michael Schumacher airlift caught on cameraF1 legend and "adrenaline junkie" Michael Schumacher fighting for his life after being airlifted to hospital following a serious ski injury.

He said the medical team was focusing only on his current condition.

"We cannot predict the future for Michael Schumacher," Payen said.??He is in a critical state in terms of cerebral resuscitation," he added.

"We are working hour by hour."

hour by hour

Schumacher, the most successful driver in Formula One history, arrived at the Grenoble University Hospital Center a day earlier already in a coma and immediately underwent brain surgery.

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The German driver was skiing with his son on Sunday morning in the French Alpine resort of Meribel when he fell and hit the right side of his head on a rock.

He was wearing a helmet, but the doctors said it was clearly not sufficient to prevent a serious brain injury.

"Someone who had suffered this accident without a helmet would not have made it this far," Payen said.

Gerard Saillant, a trauma surgeon who operated on Schumacher when he broke his leg in a race crash in 1999, was at the hospital.

But he said he was there in his capacity as a friend, not a doctor.

He did, however, tell reporters that Schumacher?s age - he turns 45 on January 3 - and his fitness should work in his favour.

Schumacher

But the Grenoble medical team was being very cautious about Schumacher?s prognosis.

They are working to relieve pressure on his brain and have lowered his body temperature to between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius (93.2 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit), as part of the medically induced coma.

The area where Schumacher was skiing is part of a web of trails that slice down through a vast and, in parts, very steep snowfield.

Michael Schumacher

Although challenging, the snowfield is not extreme skiing: The runs are broad and neatly tended, and the ungroomed area in between, known as off-piste, is free of trees.

Schumacher was conscious when first responders arrived on the scene, although agitated and in shock, according to the resort.

He was airlifted to a local hospital and then later brought to Grenoble.

His wife and other family members are by his bedside.

But his manager Sabine Kehm said reports that Jean Todt, his former Ferrari team boss and now president of motorsport?s governing body, the FIA, and Ross Brawn, who worked with Schumacher at Ferrari and Mercedes F1 teams, were at the hospital were wrong.

Schumacher has been seriously hurt before.

He broke his leg in a crash at the Silverstone race course in 1999.

He also suffered serious neck and spine injuries after a motorcycling accident in February 2009 in Spain.

As news of the accident spread, Formula One drivers rushed to wish Schumacher a quick recovery on social media.

My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher at this tough time.. Michael more than anyone has the strength to pull through this. ? Jenson Button (@JensonButton)
December 29, 2013